More pilchard deaths expected

Friday, 6 November 1998 ABC Online News

It is expected that pilchard deaths will start occurring in Western Australia in about 10 days.

The latest mass deaths have been reported at Fowlers Bay, about 300 kilometres east of the South Australian-Western Australian border. That is more than 1,000 kilometres from WA's first prime fishing area near Esperance.

Carlo Vittiglia, from Fisheries WA, says it is still estimated that the fish-kill is moving at a rate of about 30 kilometres a day. He says several groups on the Nullarbor have been seconded to check for signs of dead fish and a spotter plane remains on stand-by.

Mr Vittiglia says a herpes-type virus has been found in samples of dead fish, but the exact cause of death has not been established.